Last Updated on November 19, 2016 by Jo
The Most Important Golf Asset – Your Golf Clubs
Simply put, the best women’s golf clubs are the ones that fit YOU personally.
Clubfitting is the ultimate for sure, but costs can push some away. If you pay attention to some key points, you can successfully find your “perfect set” anywhere.
Golf courses across the world are becoming more women-friendly and has helped grow the game of golf for women everywhere. Using the proper ladies golf clubs can hugely improve your enjoyment of the game.
As more women pick up the sport, there becomes an increasingly overwhelming list of options for types of golf equipment to purchase. This can be especially daunting if you are new to the game. The last thing you want to do is buy a set that seems to impress your friends, but does nothing to help boost your performance.
Finding The Best Women's Golf Clubs for You!
Things to think about when shopping for your next set of golf clubs, and my picks for quality women’s clubs.
SWING SPEED – the slower your swing speed, the more of a need for lighter clubs and shafts with “give”. In other words, graphite. You need a faster more powerful swing to adequately handle the steel clubs.
Your height and arm length are factors that cannot be dismissed.
We touched upon this subject before on the Women’s Golf Clubs post, but wanted to go thru a few of these points again and in more detail.
#1 Consider Your Objectives
Before you head out to buy a set of women’s golf clubs, you want to first assess your goals. They should be realistic in order to feel more powerful while shopping. If you only plan to play several times a year, then you don’t need to spend much time picking out the perfect set. On the other hand, if you plan to play as often as you can, then you want to be more vigilant in your search for the right equipment.
#2 Decide on Your Budget
There are very expensive golf clubs and some that are more budget-friendly. Initially, you need to decide how much you can comfortably spend. Beginners should start out with a relatively inexpensive set. A used set might even work, if they feel comfortable. Not to mention, you won’t feel too guilty if they need to be replaced.
#3 Think About the Shafts
The first thing you want to notice is the shaft composition, which will usually be either steel or graphite. Then there is the shaft flex, which is how much the shaft bends during your swing. Steel is more durable and affordable, although graphite is lighter and can help speed up your swing. Moreover, graphite shafts can have a softer flex–which, seems to work well with women and seniors. Many novice golfers often find out they use shafts that are too stiff.
Don’t forget as well, that all types of shaft materials will have a different “flex”, and you will want to choose depending on your swing speed and the feel you want. In other words:
- ladies and seniors shafts – most flex
- regular flex shafts
- stiff shafts
- extra stiff shafts
The chart below gives some general characteristics of materials used in golf club construction.
Both Shafts and Club Heads are made in these materials.
| Metal Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Usually less expensive than other materials and will last a lifetime when cared for properly, however are the heaviest of all golf club materials. Generally used by more proficient golfers with a faster and more powerful swing, and the added weight helps improve accuracy of any shot. |
Can produce vibrations which travel up the shaft and extend into the hands, arms and shoulders.
Because they do not absorb any of the shock, it can be quite unpleasant on an “off-shot”. |
| Graphite | These clubs are lightweight and flexible. They are good for women with a slow swing speed because they increase distance and accuracy. | They are less durable and may need to be replaced more frequently than clubs made from other metals. |
| Titanium | These are much stiffer and heavier than graphite or steel and are often used by the better and more powerful golfers. Accuracy and distance will be improved. Super hard material and lighter than steel. | Extremenly loud at impact (when using titanium head) and very stiff and harder to hit with for the average and new player.
Tend to be on the expensive side. |
| Choose What’s Right for YOU! | Don’t Buy on Looks Alone! |
#4 Visit Your Golf Pro Shop
- Speak with staff members and let them know your purpose for buying a set of ladies golf clubs.
- Give them exact details of how long and how often you have played the game.
- Have you ever been out to play?
- Have you taken several lessons?
- Have you played multiple rounds and want to keep going?
What you should look for are golf clubs labeled “super game-improvement”. These are designed to help minimize the effects of having a rougher golf swing. They will usually have you hold the clubs in your hands to see how they feel when you swing.
You want to test out each club to see how they feel. Furthermore, clubfitting may turn out to be your best option for the “ultimate fit” and only takes around 30-45 minutes, but is well worth the effort. Many times, clubs and pro shops will offer a free fitting if you correspond by purchasing your new set from them. You may then hit with dozens of variations of a specific club, such as a Ping 6-iron. The purpose is to find the best mix of loft, lie angle, shaft, grip, swingweight and more.
#5 The Ladies Golf Set
Equipment for women is made with the same technology as those for men, but there are some differences that are based upon different body types. To illustrate, most of the best golf clubs for women are composed of graphite shafts, which are much lighter than steel with a softer and better flex. Also, the shaft length of women’s golf clubs tends to be shorter than men’s clubs of the same designation.
The standard woman’s driver is around an inch shorter. Popular brands such as Ping and Callaway have options that are 2 inches shorter. Since most women have smaller hands than men, golf club sets also have smaller club grips. Women’s golf sets are also often lighter with a higher loft that has smaller and lighter driver heads. A standard women’s golf club set would have:
Typical Golf Clubs in a Set
Three woods – driver, 3 wood, 5 wood
Seven irons – 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Two wedges – pitching wedge, sand wedge
A putter
Many today will drop the 3,4, and 5 irons for Hybrids or utility clubs, which are much easier to hit than the longer clubs.
The Rules allow for no more than 14 clubs in a bag, so keep this in mind too.
Updated July 11, 2016
Fourteen clubs are the maximum allowed in one player’s golf bag during a round played under the Rules of Golf. Any number below 14 is fine, but more than 14 is not. Also, those 14 clubs cannot be changed during the course of one round.
You can read more about golf clubs and their composition here.
#6 More Tips
If you are still unsure, it helps to take more time for research. Read ladies golf club reviews or ask family and friends for recommendations. When you’re on the course, take a look of what other players are using. You also want to do a bit of comparison shopping. If you do settle for a used set, make sure they are in good condition.
When it comes to buying golf equipment, they don’t have the be the fanciest or the most expensive. What is most important is they feel good to you and improve your game. With research, help from fellow golfers and your local golf pro shop, you should have the perfect set in no time.
Some of the best women’s golf clubs – you can read the reviews of each set at Amazon and receive some of the best deals online.
A debt of gratitude is in order for sharing these incredible ladies’ golf club buying tips. I’m very golf-wise myself (I have my own site based around golf) and what I took in some time back is that, as you referenced, ladies commonly require shorter, lighter and progressively adaptable shafts generally. Besides that, there’s not really any distinction between clubs advertised for ladies and those showcased for men. I welcome the read!
Thank you for this well informing article. I play golf, and my girlfriend is keen to join me as well. Your pointers have given more factors to consider which will ensure that we do not make the wrong purchase. We are super excited to play golf together and thank you once again for helping us choose the right set of clubs.
You’re welcome!
… Using a set of clubs that feel good and perform best for her will be important.
I’m glad your wife is taking up golf! – it’a a sport you and she can play together your whole life.
Thanks
I found this post really interesting.
I think that these guidelines for selecting golf clubs could be extended to either gender really.
The thing that I find fascinating the most is the differences between the different kinds of shafts and the effect they have on the flight of the ball on impact. I did not realize that there were so many differences.
Great post!
The different materials used for shafts and clubheads will make a difference in how the golf club plays and feels.
But more important is the proper weight and length of the clubs for maximun playability – it’s a must.
Love the concept of this site and how it tailors specifically to women. My grandmother is an avid golfer and I passed this link onto her which she is thrilled about. I really like how you outlined the pros and cons of different kinds of clubs, I believe this is extremely valuable information for women that are looking for a club that is best suited to their needs. Thanks for the great information!
Thanks Cole!
Tell your grandmother thank you too!
Buying a new set of golf clubs can be a bit overwhelming, but if you pay attention to the basics it becomes a little easier.
Great read!! After this article, I told my husband that I need to add a five and three wood to my bag. I am going to look into hybrids, as I like the feel of them (lighter) compared to my irons.
Thanks again for the great insight!
Hi Summer!
Hybrids are a great alternative to the long irons for most golfers. Much easier to hit and control for many, although I myself kind of like the irons – I must be crazy!
Just goes to show you how golf is a very “personal” sport.
Thanks for sharing these great women’s golf club purchasing tips. I’m quite golf-savvy myself (I have my own website based around golf) and what I learned a while ago is that, as you mentioned, women typically require shorter, lighter and more flexible shafts for the most part. Aside from that there’s hardly any difference between clubs marketed for women and those marketed for men. Appreciate the read!
Thanks for stopping by Paul
I agree with you wholeheartedly. There is absolutely no difference between men and women’s golf clubs and touch on that subject here.
The only distinction between the two are weight, length and look (general characteristics which hold true), other than that they are the same. That’s where proper fitting comes in; as long as they “tweaked” to fit any particular golfer it doesn’t matter what you use. Women can use men’s clubs and vice-versa.
But as mentioned above, the women’s clubs have these factors built-in so it is much easier for the average woman golfer to purchase “off the shelf” clubs that fit adequately for their needs.